Mitsubishi Challenger 2WD now on sale in Australia

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By Brett Davis | October 25th, 2011

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has introduced a new two-wheel drive version of the Mitsubishi Challenger – an SUV that has only ever come in four-wheel drive layout.

As with the Mitsubishi ASX, which is also available in four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive, the company has found that there is plenty of demand for two-wheel drive SUVs. The company also says that up to 70 per cent of ASX sales are skewed towards the two-wheel drive option.

The Mitsubishi Challenger is more of a heavy-duty off-road vehicle however, featuring a traditional ladder-type chassis and 3-link live axle rear suspension. The new 2WD Challenger presents the economy of a rear-wheel drive while offering ground clearance and towing capacity (3000kg) of a rigid SUV.

Like all Mitsubishi Challenger models, the 2WD is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 131kW of power and 400Nm of torque (350Nm for the five-speed automatic). Mitsubishi says the 2WD brings more versatility to SUV buyers. MMAL’s President and CEO, Genichiro Nishina said,

“The two-wheel drive segment is becoming increasingly popular with customers wanting versatile vehicles that offer economical performance, so we are pleased to introduce the 2WD Challenger with the option of a reversing camera to enhance safety.”

Mitsubishi says the 2WD Challenger offers an average fuel consumption rating of 8.2L/100km for the manual, and 9.6L/100km for the automatic, compared with the 4WD versions which offer 8.3L/100km and 9.8L/100km, respectively.

Optional features for the 2WD include a reversing camera through the Mitsubishi Convenience Pack for the automatic variant. The pack costs an additional $3640 over the standard price, but it comes with side and curtain airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a six-speaker stereo, climate control and a leather steering wheel with audio controls.

All four-wheel drive version now come standard with the reverse camera, while USB ports make their way onto both LS and XLS variants.

All Mitsubishi Challenger vehicles come with Mitsubishi five-year/130,000km warranty.

Pricing for the 2012 Mitsubishi Challenger is as follows (excluding on-road costs and taxes):

2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 2WD five-seater manual transmission – $36,990
2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 2WD five-seater auto transmission – $39,490

2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD five-seater manual transmission – $41,490
2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD five-seater auto transmission – $43,990

2012 Mitsubishi Challenger LS 4WD five-seater manual transmission – $45,490
2012 Mitsubishi Challenger LS 4WD five-seater auto transmission – $47,990

2012 Mitsubishi Challenger LS 4WD seven-seater auto transmission – $49,890

2012 Mitsubishi Challenger XLS 4WD five-seater auto transmission – $55,290
2012 Mitsubishi Challenger XLS 4WD seven-seater auto transmission – $57,190

http://caradvice OSU811

I thought the whole point of the Challenger was to offer more off road capability than the endless number of soft road SUV’S already for sale!! This car is a waste of time you would be better of with a more refined car based SUV than a 2WD Truck!! Or even better a sports tourer wagon!

nickdl

Exactly. The reason that Mistubishi are getting 70% 2WD sales in the ASX is because it has absolutely no off-road capability. The ASX and Challenger couldn’t be any more different. The fuel economy isn’t any better either.

Anyway, I suppose it makes a good car for a family with a horse or a boat.
Steven A

Rediculous comments, its all about giving the customer options, this is a big rear wheel drive vehicle option for those who want a large wagon and have no need for a tough 4wd vehicle.

JR

Great Tow vehicle

http://caradvice OSU811

4WD version be better and makes more sense!

JR

4k more and 50% of buyers will never use it

maximark

Nobody want to drive around the city with the 2WD Challenger, its engine is quite noisy and it’s not economical for city driving either. With its great ground clearance, good 4WD system this car should be driven off road and on beaches. What is the point to have 3000kg towing capacity with a rear wheel drive, it won’t be able to pull a boat off the boat ramp or a caravan in wet weather.

ScottT

so you cant tow anything in the wet without 4WD? what a load of BS. I’ve towed my own caravan and never flicked my 4WD over to 4WD just because its raining, never had an issue. its called driving for the conditions.

maximark

Of course you can tow anything without the need for 4WD in the wet but it is not as safe as the 4WD vehicle. Try and tow a boat off the ramp with a none 4WD vehicle and see what happen. By the way, you don’t need to flick the 4WD mode of your vehicle to have the 4WD engaged, it will engage itsefl if it sensors any slippage.

carter

How do you think people towed boats/caravans with their falcons/commodores 20 years ago when these soft SUV’s weren’t around? A Sedan with a LSD can tow a boat easily up a ramp. All this “need 4wd” stuff is over rated.
Scott Towner

used to watch my old man do it in his farelane and he had a big boat, no problems at all

Steven A

I agree, a 4WD option maybe better for some but not suitable for everyone, hence the 2WD Challenger.

Eric

Why has the TQ been lowered for the Auto shortly if we can put a monkey in space and men on the moon, why can’t one of the plants biggest auto makers build a decent Automatic?

Rick

And it even lacks the option of a manual in the up spec models

ScottT

Sign of the times my friend, sadly manuals are a dying breed

Rick

Unfortunately I think your right , shame though, but most people these days see their car at just transport, to sit in traffic for hrs, to get them to the job they don’t like to pay far a house they’ll never own . That’s the life city people live , which is where the bulk of australian cars reside

Rick

Why can’t you get the up spec models with the option of a manual or at least the base model manual with seven seats. It doesn’t make sense not everyone is to lazy to change gears . I would even pay extra to have a manual . Osu811 I agree I’d love a good sports tourer. the Holden commodore sport wagon SS would be at the top of my list, followed by a Chrysler 300C or even an Audi rs4 but , no one offers them with 7 seats . hence the reason that I have to buy a suv and I hate them , they are overpriced, under powered and poorly built . I do think the one I have now is a great a-b vehicle but that’s it . The best of a bad situation I guess you could say
Denx

Guys, if you only want 4wd version, buy 4wd. People want 2wd will buy 2wd, it is not hurting you, right?
http://fiat bill

No harm i suppose… but I struggle to see the point though.
whathe..

These will sell by the dozen! Isn’t it about time Mitsu put out some new cars. The Magnificent ASX was the last new car they put out. No other new cars for at least 3 years.

Remember the Challanger is basically an old Pajero.

Matty B

Actually it’s a ML Triton Wagon. Really has nothing in common with any pajero.
Steven A

I agree ASX is a brilliant little package and Challenger
actually shares its under pinnings with the excellent Triton, as for new vehicles, there’s a heap of new stuff coming with most of Mitsubishi’s all models being released over 36 months.

Harold

What is the point? You get all the drawbacks of an off-road commercial based vehicle with none of the 4wd benefits.

Steven A

CUSTOMER OPTIONS, OPTIONS, OPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CS

I have a current model Challenger 4wd and use it, and need it to use it as a 4wd all the time – and it is brilliant in this regard. I have previously owned 8 Pajero’s but the lower price swayed me to a Challenger – great fuel economy as well 8.5l/100 around the city.. and based on a ute, its pretty simple and basic ..However, there is no way in the world I would consider buying a 2wd version – you would be better off with a wagon or softroader – far far far more comfortable for daily use and as Harold above mentioned, they have basicaly deleted its major attraction – 4wd.
mmmmm

$37k and they have nerve to charge extra for side & curtain airbags WTF.
NOT good enough in 2011
MRL

Thailand has had both the 2WD and 4WD Challenger (Pajero Sport) for 3 years now, and the 2WD version gets almost 90% of the sales.

Fact is, most people who buy these just don’t need 4WD, and as the 2WD comes with LSD, it’ll get you in and out of places you might otherwise think 4WD is needed for.

Mind you, the 2WD starts at just $28K over there.
Flabby Chap

Up until today. All Challengers were 4WD’s:
- 2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD five-seater manual transmission – $39,990

Today onwards. Choice of 2WD’s and 4WD’s
- 2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 2WD five-seater manual transmission – $36,990
- 2012 Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD five-seater manual transmission – $41,490

A glimpse into Mitsi’s sales and marketing strategy. Go figure.
Martin

Why dont they have a 2WD 7Seater Auto under 40K?